The February issue of FSMO (Film Score Monthly Online) recently featured the concluding part of my ambitious illustrated article on Howard Shore's epic scores for The Lord of the Rings (including aspects of The Hobbit) films. As mentioned in the previous post concerning Part 1 the article makes substantial reference to the work of Author, Musician and Musicologist Doug Adams' excellent analysis of Shore's music as featured in his 2010 book The Music of the Lord of the Rings Films (indeed follow Adams' related blog musicoflotr for more information). The rationale and aim of the article was to respond artistically to Howard Shore's elaborately constructed Middle-earth scores via the illuminating analysis that Adams provides. What this involved specifically for the artwork was substantial inspiration taken from the storytelling devices alive in Shore's music and the interpretation of masterful musical constructs (often coded musical references concealed or implied in the artwork through imagery and/or title).
As the online magazine is subscription only the article cannot be linked to here but please enjoy a series of specially selected screenshots of the final article in this blog post and remember that an earlier prelude to this article can be found on this very blog from June 2014 here.
The Lord of the Rings: Art for Ascension, Decline and Evil Times Part 2 by John Cockshaw(Many thanks to Managing Editor of FSMO Kristen Romanelli for her support and interest in the piece during its development)
